Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-08
ccu,sr,v. WIN, I wa, thinking about


with them, while others find nobody at all,
or worse thnn nobody, and am also wonder
ing how many brave mems lives this nights
work will cost 1t was rather nasty Of me.
perhaps, but somehow all the feelings do not
evaporate with age, and l could not help be-
ING a little jealous OF my old friends luck.
Vanity, my sons vanity Of vanities!
On the following morning Good was in
formed Of the happy occurrence. and posi-
tively rippled with smiles that. originating
omewhere about the mouth, slowly travelled
up his face like the rings i'll n duck pond,
till they flowed over the hrlm Of his eyeglass
and went where sweet smiles CO. The fact Of
the matter, however, was that not only was
Good rcjoiced about the thing on its own
p,erits, but also for personal reasons lie
adored Sorais quite as earnestly rs Sir Henry
atlored Nyleptha, and his alteration had not
altogether prospered. Indeed. it had seemed
to him and to mo also that the dark Cleopatra
like queen favored Curtis in her own curious,
inscrutable way much more than Good.
Therefore it was a relief to him to learn that
his unconscious rival was permanently and
satisfactorily attached in another direction.
His face fell a little, however, when he was
told that the whole thing was to be kept as
secret as the dead, above all from Sorais for
the present, inasmuch rs the political convul-
sion which would follow such an announce
ment at the moment would be altogether too
great to face, and would very possibly, If
prematurely made, shake Nyleptha from her
throne.
That morning we again attended in the
throne hall, and could not help smiling to
myself when compared the visit to our last,
and rejecting that if the walls could speak
they would have strange tales to tell.
What actresses women are! There, high
upon her golden throne, draped in her bla-
zoned "kaf' or robe OF state, sat the fair Ny
leptha; and when Sir Henry came III a little
late, dressed in the full uniform OF an officer
Of her guarl, and humbly bent himself be-
fore her. she merely acknowledged his salute
with careless nod and turned her head
colGly aside. 1t was a very large court, for
not only did the ceremony OF the signing OF
the laws attract many outside Of those whose
duty it was to attend, but also the rumor
that Nasta was going to publicly ask the
hand of Nyleptha In marriage had gone
abroad, with the result that the grelt hall
was crowded to its utmost capacity. There
were our friends tie priests in force, headed
by Agon. who regarded us with a vindictiSe
eve; and a most imposing band they were,
wi b their long white embroidered .obes girt
with a golden chain from which hung the
fishlIke sales. There, too. We're a number Of
tine Lords. each with u band Of brilliantly
attired attendants. and prominent among
them was Nasta, strokng his black beard
meditatively and looking unusually unpleas-
ant 1t was splendid and impressive sight,
lI,-, Ian, nifi.ar hsy IN ont
each law it was handed to the queens TO sign,
whereon the trumpets blared out and the
queens guasI grounded their speais with a
crash in salute. This reading and signing Of
the laws took u long time, but at last it came
to an end, the last one reciting that whereas
certain distinguished strangers, etc. y and pro-
cesding to confer Oh the three of us the rank
OF lords" together with certain military
commands and large estates bestowed by the
queens. When it was read the trumpcts
blared and the spears lashed down as usual; !;
but | saw some of the lords turn and whisper
to each other. while Nasta ground his teeth.
They did not like the favor that was shown
to Us, which, under all the circumstances,
was not perhaps unnatural
Then there came pause, and Nasta stepped
ASA "A'', ei' pv"hS WIN
no humility in his eve, craved boorrat the
hands of the Queen Nyleptha.
Nylcptha turned a little pale, but bowed
graciously, and prayed the -well beloved
lord' To speak on. whereon in few straight-
forward, soldier like words he asked her hand
in marriage.
Then, before she could find words to an
swer, the High Priest Agon took up the tale,
and in a speech OF real eloquence and power
pointed out the many advantages Of the pro-
posed alliance-how II would consolidate tbs
kingdom; for Nasta's domnions, of which he
was virtually king, were to Zu-Vendis much
what Scotland used to lie to England: how it
would gratify the wild mountaineers and Be
popular among the soldiery. for Nasta was a
famous general; how it would set her dynasty
firmly on the throne, and would gain the
blessing and approval Of the "Sun," l. e., Of
the Office of high priest, and so on Many Of
his arguments were undoubtedly valid; and
there was, looking at it from political point
OF view, everything TO be said for the mar
riage. But. unfortunately, it is difficult to
play the game Of politics with the persons Of
young and lovely queens as though they were
ivory efiSies of themselves on q chess hoard
Nyleptha's face, while Agon spouted away,
WAS perfect study: she smiled, indeed, but
beneath the smile it set like stone, and her
eyes began to flash ominously
At last he stopped. and she prepared herself
to answer. Before she did so. however, Sorais
leaned toward her and said, in q voice sufii-
ciently loud for me to catch what she said,
"Bethink thee well, my sister, ere thou dost
speak, for methinks that our thrones may
hang upon thy words"
Nyleptha made no answer, and with a
shrus and n smile, Sorais leaned back again
and listened
"Of truth a great honor has been done to
me. she said. that my poor hand should not
only have been asked in marriage, but that
Agon here should be 50 swift TO pronounce
the blessing of the Sun upon my union Ne
thinks that in another minute he would have
wed Us fast ere the bride had said her say.
Nasta, thank thee, and will bethink me Of
thy words, but now as yet have 10 mind for
that is a cup Of which none know
the taste until they begin to drink it Again
thank thee, Nasta," and she made as though
she would rise
The great lords face turned almost as
black as his beard with fury, for he knew
that the words amounted to Q final refusal Of
his suit
Thanks be to the queen for her gracious
words, he said, restraining himself with diff
Iiculty and looking anything but grateful, |
my heart shall surely treasure them And |
now crave another boon, namely. the royal !
cave to withdraw myself to my own poor |
titles III the north until such time as the |
queen shall say my suit my or yea May |
hap he added, with a sneer, 'the queen will |
DO pieased to visit ME there, and to bring |
With her these stranger lords" and he |
'cow!cd darkly toward us. 1T is but poor |
country and rough, but We are a hardy |
ace OF roumtaineers, and there shall be |
gathered 5000 swordsmen TO shout q vel |
,ome to her"
This speech, which was almost . declara-
ION OF rebellion. was received i'm complete
il..,,L,, l,,,t I